Posts with tag: renters

Calls to improve conditions for older renters

Published On: October 27, 2016 at 9:19 am

Tags: Age UK,landlords,older renters,private rental sector,renters

Concerns are growing over the conditions facing a number of older people residing in the private rental sector.

The volume of older renters is set to soar during the next few years, but a worrying new report from Age UK has warned that conditions must improve sharply.

Distress

Age UK’s report suggests that if conditions do not markedly rise, more people will face ‘squalor and distress’ at the hands of slum landlords.

In addition, the charity claims that many vulnerable older renters are forced to reside in ‘awful privately rented accommodation.’ This, it claims, is down to negligent or disinterested landlords and letting agents.

Households aged 65 or over make up around 10% of the current private rental sector, but these numbers are likely to grow substantially.

A survey conducted by the National Landlords Association found that the number of UK retirees moving into the sector has risen by 200,000 over the previous four years. What’s more, it predicts that over one-third of over 60’s could be living in the private rental sector by 2040.

Bad experiences

Calls to Age UK’s Advice line between 2013 and 2016 showed that lots of older renters have had bad experiences. These include:

failure to carry out repairs
sharp rent hikes
poor, cramped, cold conditions
refusal of aids and adaptations, such as ramps or handrails

Calls to improve conditions for older renters

As such, the charity is proposing urgent legal reforms to improve the rights of older tenants.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, stated: ‘Calls to our advice line show that some highly vulnerable older people are enduring grim living conditions in the private rented sector and this is truly shocking. No one should have to put up with such squalor at any age, but the idea that a chronically ill older person could be living on their own for weeks or even months with no proper heating, or cooking facilities or hot water is sickening.’[1]

‘The law is far too feeble and the withering away of local environmental health services is making the problem worse. The upshot is that older tenants in the private sector are almost entirely reliant on the decency and professionalism of landlords and letting agents, and sadly this is leaving some at risk of neglect and in the worse cases of bullying and abuse. As it is at the moment, the bottom end of the private rented sector is no place for a vulnerable older person, but if that is what we believe as a society we need to do something about it and create better alternatives,’ she added.[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/10/number-of-older-tenants-set-to-soar-but-awful-conditions-must-improve

Work has to be done to reduce tenancy deposit disputes

Published On: October 21, 2016 at 8:57 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: buy-to-let landlords,renters,tenancy deposit schemes,tenancy deposits

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks believe that much more should be done in order to reduce the number of tenancy deposit disputes.

This comes despite the recent improvements recorded in released in figures released earlier this year.

Low volume

Despite their calls for improvements to be made, the industry body acknowledged that the volume of disputes is low. There were only 28,100 disputes requiring resolution by the three government-recognised protection schemes in the year to March 2016.

These figures came from the Department for Communities and Local Government, which revealed that this number made up just 0.82% of total deposits. However, the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks thinks many problems still need addressing.

Data released from the Tenancy Deposit Scheme shows that cleaning disputes featured in 57% of all tenancy deposit claims that it deals with. Damage to either fixtures and fittings were mentioned in 51% of all cases.

Work has to be done to reduce tenancy deposit disputes

Problems

Patricia Barber, chair of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks, noted: ‘The issues of cleaning-or a lack of it-and damage in rental properties come up time and time again at the end of tenancies and it’s clear that these problems are responsible for a high number deposit disputes that do occur.’[1]

For a number of years, fair wear and tear has been a grey area for both landlords and letting agents, such is the varying nature from case to case. This high level of ambiguity leads to a high number of disputes at the conclusion of an agreement.

As such, the importance of an inventory is of paramount. Alongside being used in evidence in a dispute, an inventory as part of the check in and check out process will greatly help if an issue arises.

Barber continued by saying: ‘If landlords make sure tenants are issued with a detailed and thorough inventory at the beginning of the tenancy, then it’s easier for all parties to determine the condition of the property when the contract finishes. This in turn makes it easier for landlords and tenants to agree on any required deposit deductions which could lead to fewer formal deposit disputes.’[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/10/more-work-needed-to-reduce-tenancy-deposit-disputes

Over one in four homes in is an unacceptable standard

Published On: October 17, 2016 at 10:05 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: affordability,Living Home Standard,property,renters,Shelter

A shocking new survey from Shelter has revealed that over one in four homes in the UK do not hit acceptable living standards.

The charity’s new Living Home Standard looks at features such as cleanliness, safety, affordability and space.

Problems

Worryingly, the report found that affordability was the greatest issue and that people should be able to, ‘live and thrive’ in homes, not just ‘get by.’

Prime Minister Theresa May has recently said that the Government is to prioritise housing, doubling its affordable housing budget.

Shelter compiled the Living Home Standard through a series of workshops and questionnaires. The charity also received support from British Gas.

Measurements of homes hitting acceptable living standards were based on results from a survey of 1,961 adults across the UK.

Standards

The Living Home Standard measures five elements according to specific criteria. The concept of space was measured for example by having a sufficient number of bedrooms for the household, and having space for everyone to spend time in the same room together.

Other aspects of space include outdoor room and the amount of space children and adults have to work.

These five elements of the Living Home Standard were measured on:

Affordability: Factors such as how much money is left for peoples’ essentials following rental or mortgage payments

Living conditions: Assessing replies for words such as ‘warm’ and ‘secure’ when asking the participants to describe their home.

Space: Sufficient space was seen as critical for mental and social wellbeing

Stability: This was seen as the extent to which people feel that they can turn their property into a home.

Neighbourhood: Residing in an area where people feel safe and secure was also seen as very important. Living close to work, family and friends was also an important measurement.

Over one in four homes in is an unacceptable standard

Cutbacks

Of the five criteria, 27% of homes failed at least one of the affordability specifications. Shelter revealed that 24% of people were not able to save anything for unexpected outgoings after paying rent or mortgages. 23% worry about their rent or mortgage charges becoming unaffordable should they rise even slightly.

18% of people could not meet their housing fees if they did not cutback on essentials like food or heating. 20% said they have to cut back on social activities in order to meet costs.

In addition, over one in ten people live in homes that do not hit space criteria. This was particularly bad for renters in social housing. One in five said that space was inadequate, while one in four said that they did not feel in control of how long they could stay in their property.

Heart-breaking

Shelter has called for more stable rental contracts, lasting for at least five years to protect tenants against rent increases.

Chief executive of Shelter, Campbell Robb said: ‘It’s heart-breaking to think that so many people are having to make a choice between paying the rent and putting food on the table, or living in fear that any drop in income would leave them unable to cover their housing costs.’[1]

‘The sad truth is that far too many people in Britain right now are living in homes that just aren’t up to scratch – from the thousands of families forced to cope with poor conditions, to a generation of renters forking out most of their income on housing each month and unable to save for the future,’ he added.[1]

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37655908

Tenants tending to rent for longer

Published On: October 14, 2016 at 1:30 pm

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: landlords,rental agreements,renters,tenancy agreements

The latest investigation from Cover4LetProperty Over half of tenants in the private rental sector stay in their rented accommodation for a period of five years or more.

These surveys are conducted bi-annually from March 2013 to September 2016 and this is the eighth edition.

Longer tenancies

59% of renters said they have been in the same property for more than five years, which was unchanged from one year ago.

In October 2013, 15% of males had lived in four or more properties in the last five years, in comparison to 8% of females.

October this year has revealed that only 8% of males and 5% of females have lived in more than three rental properties, which suggests in tenants are staying put for longer.

Tenants tending to rent for longer

79% of respondents said that opted to rent long-term, representing a rise of 15% over the last 12 months.

15% of existing renters intend to buy their own property within the next six months, down by 18% in the same period. 29% said that hope to buy in the next few years.

Half of UK renters over the age of 46

Published On: September 20, 2016 at 8:49 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: renters,renting in the UK,tenant ages,tenants

Latest data released from estate agents Your Move has revealed that nearly half of the total number of renters in the private rental sector in Britain are over the age of 46.

This result came from research of 36,500 participants, with the investigation commissioned to give a further insight into the 4.5m privately rented households in Britain.

Renting results

The research uncovered that 18% of renters are over the age of 55, with 22% in the 46-55 age bracket. Somewhat surprisingly, 39% of people in the private rental sector are under 35.

Of those questioned, 25% of 18-25 year olds said that they were happy with renting, with 80% longing for their own home in the future. For those over 55, 46% said they were happy with renting and only 19% wanted to own their own property in the future.

For all age groups, 81% of tenants said that renting suited their lifestyle, either permanently or for a few years.

Half of UK renters over the age of 46

Important

Valerie Bannister, Head of Lettings at Your Move, noted: ‘these results show very clearly that renting is becoming extremely important across the UK. The rise of the Silver Renter may seem surprising, but increasingly thousands of people have turned to the Private Rental Sector as the most convenient option available to them, following a change in personal circumstance. Now more than ever, it is important that this sector offers good quality, well managed properties that allow tenants to feel at home in them.’[1]

‘Many of the younger tenants in our survey have aspirations to own their own home in the future. However, the endemic lack of affordable housing to buy across the UK, coupled with a low savings-rate environment, is making it increasingly difficult for want-to-be homeowners to buy their first home,’ she continued.[1]

Concluding, Bannister said:’ the Private Rental Sector needs to answer this issue by becoming a first choice tenure and not just the second best option. If the flexibility of renting can be combined with the stability and reassurance of longer residencies and fewer restrictions around making the space feel like home, for many, renting would be considered a better long-term, as well as short-term option.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/almost-half-of-uk-renters-are-now-aged-over-46.html

Leader of the opposition Corbyn vows to protect private tenants

Published On: September 2, 2016 at 9:08 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: Jeremy Corbyn,private tenants,rental market,renters,tenants

Leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn has put forward plans to introduce a new scheme designed at increasing protection for tenants in privately rented housing.

Should he be elected as Prime Minister in the next general election, Mr Corbyn is to launch the Tenants’ Right Charter. This would include a guarantee of three- year contracts and protections to cover severe rental hikes and unsafe living arrangements.

Plans

This new housing plan is just the latest in a number of policy announcements made by Mr Corbyn as he tries to resist challenges to his leadership by Owen Smith.

Corbyn has recently put forward proposals extending right to buy to tenants in privately rented homes, due to worries that the housing market is proving unaffordable for young people.

In other housing policy proposals, Mr Corbyn has promised that a future Labour government will construct one million new homes by the end of its first term in Parliament. This would cost approximately £10bn and Labour would make sure that half of the homes that are built are council properties.

Leader of the opposition Corbyn vows to protect private tenants

Broken

Mr Corbyn noted that, ‘successive governments have failed to fix our broken housing market. Decent housing is a basic human need affecting everything we do and is a significant factor on stress and mental health.’[1]

‘Our homes are where we should feel safe, yet for too many people housing is a source of anxiety-not security. And to a whole generation of our young people, the security of home ownership is rapidly becoming an impossible dream. That is why the next Labour government will reverse a generation of underinvestment in housing, particularly council housing and give the chance of a decent, secure, affordable home back to every family and citizen,’ he added.[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/8/jeremy-corbyn-vows-to-better-protect-private-tenants-if-elected-pm